Table ware washer

ABSTRACT

A device for alternately changing the swing direction of the nozzle arm provided with a plurality of nozzles and installed in a table ware washer; said device comprising two channels for conveying liquid to be jetted from said nozzles to swing the nozzle arm, each channel comprising a liquid inlet compartment and a liquid jet nozzle compartment, said two compartments being disposed opposite to each other with respect to the axis of the nozzle arm (e.g., when the nozzles of one channel are directed right with respect to the nozzle arm axis, the nozzles of the other channel are directed left with respect to the nozzle arm axis) so that the liquid flowing in said two channels is shut out alternately by the use of a ball. Thus, said device is capable of alternately changing the liquid jet direction and thereby changing the swing direction of the nozzle arm alternately.

United-States Patent [191 Fukuzawa et a1.

[ TABLE WARE WASHER [75] Inventors: Soichi Fukuzawa; Ryoichiro Oshima,both of l-litachi-shi, Japan [73] Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan22 Filed: Aug. 30, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 176,068

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 28, 1970 Japan 45-74867 [52]US. Cl. 134/178, 134/179, 239/66 [51] Int. Cl B081) 3/02 [58] Field ofSearch 134/176, 178, 179; 239/66 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3.160.164 12/1964 Constance et a1. 134/178 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1.920.575 11/1970 Germany 134/179 [4 1 Mar. 19, 1974Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig,Antonelli & Hill [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for alternately changing theswing direction of the nozzle arm provided with a plurality of nozzlesand installed in a table ware washer; said device comprising twochannels for conveying liquid to be jetted from said nozzles to swingthe nozzle arm, each channel comprising a liquid inlet compartment and aliquid jet nozzle compartment, said two compartments being disposedopposite to each other with respect to the axis of thenozzle arm (e.g.,when the nozzles of one channel are directed right with respect to thenozzle arm axis, the nozzles of the other channel are directed left withrespect to the nozzle arm axis) so that the liquid flowing in said twochannels is shut out alternately by theruse of a ball. Thus, said deviceis capable of alternately changing the liquid jet direction and therebychanging the swing direction of the nozzle arm alternately.

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ATTORNEYS TABLE WARE WASHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to jet stream table ware washers andmore particularly to devices for changing alternately and auto-maticallythe swing direction of the nozzle arm having a plurality of liquid jetnozzles.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the table ware washer according tothe prior art, the nozzle arm having a plurality of nozzles swings onlyin one direction. Hence, the beam of the detergent solution jetted fromthe nozzle arm in the upper direction runs at a composite speed of theswing speed of the nozzle arm and the speed of the solution jetted fromthe nozzle. As a result, the jet stream direction is slanted toward thedirection along which the nozzle arm is swinging. This means that thetable ware held in the basket receives the liquid stream from only onedirection at all times and it is impossible to uniformly wash the tableware.

To solve this problem, a method using a drive source, such as a motor,has been proposed. According to this method, the swing direction of thenozzle arm is reversed by changing over the rotation direction of thedrive source. This device, however, is structurally complicated and canhardly be manufactured at a commercially reasonable price.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, an object of thisinvention is to provide a device having simple structure and which iscapable of alternately changing the swing direction of the nozzle arm.

A second object of this invention is to provide a device capable ofalternately changing the swing direction of the nozzle arm withoutdepending on any drive source.

A third object of this invention is to provide a device manufacturableat a low cost and capable of alternately changing the swing direction ofthe nozzle arm with a high accuracy.

Briefly, the device of this invention is characterized in that the swingdirection of the nozzle arm is changed by the use of a changeover valveeach time the pump for circulating the detergent solution in the tableware washer is stopped. Thus,'the swing direction of the nozzle arm canbe changed with a definite cycle by stopping the pump operation at adefinite cycle.

The changeover valve comprises two channels for supplying the detergentsolution, each channel having a detergent solution inlet compartment anda detergent solution jet nozzle compartment. The two inlet compartmentsare connected to a common detergent source, which is connected to a pumpfor circulating the detergent solution.

The nozzles of each channel are disposed symmetrically with respect tothe axis of the nozzle arm. When the detergent solution is supplied toone of the channels, the nozzle arm is swung in a specific direction bythe reaction force produced by the detergent solution when jetted. Whenthe solution is supplied to the other channel, the nozzle arm is swungin the reverse direction. According to this invention, the channels arealternately closed when the detergent solution is supplied. Namely, avalve ball moves from one channel to the other each time the operationof the solution circulating pump is stopped, whereby the channels arealternately closed. The swing direction of the nozzle arm is changedover by the reaction force of the detergent solution jetted alternatelyfrom the nozzles of the two channels.

According to this invention, the swing direction of the nozzle arm canbe easily changed over by the use of a simple changeover valve withoutdepending on any drive source. This makes it possible to manufacture thedevice at a low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional viewof a table ware washer embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the nozzle arm;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the changeover valve taken along lineIIl-III in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along lines IVIV and VV in FIG.3, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 there isshown a table ware washer of this invention wherein the referencenumeral 1 denotes a washing chamber accommodating aplurality of piecesof table ware 2 supported in a basket 3, and a nozzle arm 4.'The nozzlearm 4 has a plurality of slit-like nozzles 5 on its upper part disposedswingably adjacent the lower part of said basket 3. The detergentsolution is supplied from a pipe 24 by way of the nozzle arm 4 and isjetted toward the table ware 2 from the slit-like nozzle 5. A changeovervalve 6 is disposed at one end of the nozzle arm 4. This changeovervalve is provided with detergent solution jet nozzles in both directionswith respect to the axis of nozzle arm 4. The nozzle arm 4 is swung bythe reaction force produced by the detergent solution when jetted fromthe nozzles. The numeral 8 denotes one of two nozzles disposed at thechangeover valve 6.

In FIG. 2 the major part of the detergent solution is supplied from thepipe 24 (FIG. I) through a passage 25 in the nozzle arm 4 and is jettedfrom the slit-like nozzle 5. Another part of the detergent solution isapplied to the changeover valve 6 from an inlet Ill or an inlet 15 andis jetted from a nozzle 12 or a nozzle 8 selected by a valve ball 7.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the changeover valve 6 taken along lineIlIIll in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of thechangeover valve 6 taken along lines IV-IV and VV, respectively, in FIG.3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, when the detergent solution is suppliedthereto via the inlet 15, the valve ball 7 closes the nozzle 8 by way ofthe passage 20 defined by the upper guide wall 19 in the compartment C.As a result, the detergent solution supplied via the inlets 15 and 11 isjetted from the nozzle 12, and the nozzle arm is swung in one directionby the reaction force of the jetted solution. To make the valve ball 7move smoothly from the compartment C to the nozzle 8, it is desirablethat the diameter of the valve ball path in the compartment C be leastdifferent from the diameter of the valve ball '7 and that the amount ofthe detergent solution escaping through the gap in the valve ball pathand passage 20 against the valve ball '7 be minimum. lit is alsodesirable that the inner wall of the nozzle be sloped so as to bring thevalve ball 7 into close contact with the nozzle as shown in FIG. 3.Then, by stopping the operation of the detergent solution circulatingpump (not shown diagrammatically), the pressure of the detergentsolution flowing into the changeover valve 6 is lowered and the forcepressing the valve ball 7 against the nozzle 8 is released. The valvekall 7, due to its own weight, moves to the compartment A (FIG. via thepassage 9 defined by the guide wall 14 (FIG. 4). The passage 9 has aslope to allow the valve ball 7 to move by its own weight.

When the pump is operated again, the valve ball is moved from thecompartment A to the compartment B via passage 20 by the detergentsolution flowing from the inlet 11 in the compartment A. By this means,the nozzle 12 is closed, and the detergent solution supplied via theinlets 15 and 11 is jetted from the nozzle, thereby reversing the swingdirection of the nozzle arm. The diameter of the passage is slightlylarger than the diameter of the valve ball 7.

When the circulating pump operation stops, the valve ball 7 moves alongthe passage 9 which is sloped toward the compartment C. Thus, byintermittently operating the detergent solution circulating pump, it ispossible to change the swing direction of the nozzle arm alternately.Therefore, the angle at which the detergent solution is jetted againstthe table ware is reasonably changed and any possible non-uniformity ofwashing is minimized.

What is claimed is:

1. An improvement in table ware washers comprising a basket means forholding table ware; a nozzle arm disposed swingably adjacent said basketmeans, a plurality of first nozzles in said nozzle arm for jetting adetergent solution forward the table ware, means for supplying saiddetergent solution to to said first nozzle, control nozzle meansincluding second and third nozzles disposed at one end of said nozzlearm from which the detergent solution is jetted in the directionopposite to the axis of said nozzle arm for exerting a swing force onsaid nozzle arm in opposite directions, and changeover valve means foralternately applying the detergent solution to said second and thirdnozzles in response to successive reductions in the pressure of thedetergent solution supply to the changeover valve whereby the swingdirection of the nozzle arm is alternately changed; the improvementcomprising said changeover valve including a housing having second andthird compartments provided with said second and third nozzles,respectively, for jetting the detergent solution in mutually oppositedirections with respect to said nozzle arm so that a swing force isexerted on said nozzle arm, first and fourth compartments having inletsfor sucking the detergent solution jetted from said second and thirdnozzles, a ball positioned in said housing, and partition means formoving said ball from said first compartment to said second compartmentand from said fourth compartment to said third compartment in responseto the pressure of the detergent solution and for moving said ball fromsaid third compartment to said first compartment and from said secondcompartment to said fourth compartment in response to the reduction ofthe pressure of the detergent solution and also by the weight of saidball itself, whereby the swing direction of the nozzle arm is reversedeach time the detergent solution supply is stopped.

2. An improvement in accordance with claim .1 wherein the diameter ofthe passage for said ball from the first compartment to said secondcompartment and from the fourth compartment to said third compartment isdifferent from the diameter of said ball.

3. An improvement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said partitionmeans includes a sloped passage disposed in said housing so that saidball can be moved by its down weight from the third compartment to saidfirst compartment and from the second compartment to said fourthcompartment.

4. In an improved table ware washer comprising a basket means forholding table ware, a nozzle arm disposed swingably adjacent said basketmeans, a plurality of first nozzles disposed in said nozzle arm forjetting a detergent solution toward the table ware, means for supplyingsaid detergent solution to said first nozzle, and changeover valve meansdisposed in said nozzle arm; the improvement comprising said changeovervalve means including first and second inlets for introducing thedetergent solution into said changeover valve means, first and secondoutlets disposed in said changeover valve means for jetting thedetergent solution in the direction opposite to the axis of said nozzlearm for exerting a swing force on said nozzle arm in oppositedirections, and a ball positioned in said changeover valve means, saidball being moved between one of the first inlet to the first outlet andthe second inlet to the second outlet by the pressure of said detergentsolution acting directly on the surface of said ball.

5. A table ware washer in accordance with claim 4, wherein saidchangeover valve means includes four passages for moving said ball, thefirst passage being provided between said first inlet and said firstoutlet, the second passage being provided between said first outlet andsaid second inlet, the third passage being provided between said secondinlet and said second outlet, the fourth passage being provided betweensaid second outlet and said first inlet, and wherein said ball closesone of the first and second outlets.

6. A table ware washer in accordance with claim 5, wherein said ball ismoved by the pressure of said detergent solution acting directly on thesurface of said ball in said first and third passages, and said ballmoving by its own weight in said second and fourth passages.

7. A table ware washer in accordance with claim 6, wherein the diameterof said first and second outlets of the changeover valve means aresmaller than the diameter of said ball, and the inner wall of said firstand second outlets are communicated to the inner wall of said passagesthrough a sloped inner wall so that said ball perfectly closes eitheroutlet in response to the pressure of the detergent solution.

1. An improvement in table ware washers comprising a basket means forholding table ware; a nozzle arm disposed swingably adjacent said basketmeans, a plurality of first nozzles in said nozzle arm for jetting adetergent solution forward the table ware, means for supplying saiddetergent solution to to said first nozzle, control nozzle meansincluding second and third nozzles disposed at one end of said nozzlearm from which the detergent solution is jetted in the directionopposite to the axis of said nozzle arm for exerting a swing force onsaid nozzle arm in opposite directions, and changeover valve means foralternately applying the detergent solution to said second and thirdnozzles in response to successive reductions in the pressure of thedetergent solution supply to the changeover valve whereby the swingdirection of the nozzle arm is alternately changed; the improvementcomprising said changeover valve including a housing having second andthird compartments provided with said second and third nozzles,respectively, for jetting the detergent solution in mutually oppositedirections with respect to said nozzle arm so that a swing force isexerted on said nozzle arm, first and fourth compartments having inletsfor sucking the detergent solution jetted from said second and thirdnozzles, a ball positioned in said housing, and partition means formoving said ball from said first compartment to said second compartmentand from said fourth compartment to said third compartment in responseto the pressure of the detergent solution and for moving said ball fromsaid third compartment to said first compartment and from said secondcompartment to said fourth compartment in response to the reduction ofthe pressure of the detergent solution and also by the weight of saidball itself, whereby the swing direction of the nozzle arm is reversedeach time the detergent solution supply is stopped.
 2. An improvement inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the diameter of the passage for saidball from the first compartment to said second compartment and from thefourth compartment to said third compartment is different from thediameter of said ball.
 3. An improvement in accordance with claim 1wherein said partition means includes a sloped passage disposed in saidhousing so that said ball can be moved by its down weight from the thirdcompartment to said first compartment and from the second compartment tosaid fourth compartment.
 4. In an improved table ware washer comprisinga basket means for holding table ware, a nozzle arm disposed swingablyadjacent said basket means, a plurality of first nozzles disposed insaid nozzle arm for jetting a detergent solution toward the table ware,means for supplying said detergent solution to said first nozzle, andchangeover valve means disposed in said nozzle arm; the improvementcomprising said changeover valve means including first and second inletsfor introducing the detergent solution into said changeover valve means,first and second outlets disposed in said changeover valve means forjetting the detergent solution in the direction opposite to the axis ofsaid nozzle arm for exerting a swing force on said nozzle arm inopposite directions, and a ball positioned in said changeover valvemeans, said ball being moved between one of the first inlet to the firstoutlet and the second inlet to the second outlet by the pressure of saiddetergent solution acting directly on the surface of said ball.
 5. Atable ware washer in accordance with claim 4, wherein said changeovervalve means includes four passages for moving said ball, the firstpassage being provided between said first inlet and said first outlet,the second passage being provided between said first outlet and saidsecond inlet, the third passage being provided between said second inletand said second outlet, the fourth passage being provided between saidsecond outlet and said first inlet, and wherein said ball closes one ofthe first and second outlets.
 6. A table ware washer in accordance withclaim 5, wherein said ball is moved by the pressure of said detergentsolution acting directly on the surface of said ball in said first andthird passages, and said ball moving by its own weight in said secondand fourth passages.
 7. A table ware washer in accordance with claim 6,wherein the diameter of said first and second outlets of the changeovervalve means are smaller than the diameter of said ball, and the innerwall of said first and second outlets are communicated to the inner wallof said passages through a sloped inner wall so that said ball perfectlycloses either outlet in response to the pressure of the detergentsolution.